Bengal govt announces Rs 2 lakh relief for families of patients died due to health services disruption

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 13 (ANI): The West Bengal government has announced financial relief for the families of those who died, allegedly due to the disruption in health services caused by the junior doctors’ strike over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor.

The rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 triggered protests both in the state and across the country.

Protestors are demanding justice for the victim and legislation to ensure the safety of medical professionals.

In a post on X, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called it “unfortunate” that the disruption of health services claimed 29 lives.

“It is sad and unfortunate that we have lost 29 precious lives due to disruption in health services because of long-drawn cease work by junior doctors. In order to extend a helping hand to the bereaved families, the state government announces a token financial relief of Rs 2 lakh to family members of each deceased person,” CM Mamata said.

The Chief Minister had earlier urged the protesting doctors to return to work. She had also expressed her readiness to resign from her post as CM, emphasizing her commitment to ensuring justice for the victim.

Earlier in the day, junior doctors in Kolkata sent a four-page letter to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention in the trainee doctor’s rape and murder case.

“We humbly place the issues before your esteemed excellency, as the head of state, so that our unfortunate colleague who has been the victim of the most despicable crime shall receive justice, and so that we, the healthcare professionals under the West Bengal Health Department, may be able to discharge our duties to the public without fear and apprehension,” the letter read.